Six Nations: Ex-Ireland stars Rory Best & Tommy Bowe call on Andy Farrell to be brave in selection

In-form players with limited international experience should be trusted to start in big games as Ireland seek to build squad depth, says former captain Rory Best.

The ex-Ulster hooker has warned against saving the less experienced players for Italy, the Six Nations' weakest team in recent years, while sticking to the same XV for the other four fixtures.

«Rather than trying to build a squad of 35 let's see firstly can we build a squad of 25 or 26 that are all capable of playing,» Best said.

«I would like to see each game dropping somebody in who is very close.»

Speaking on this week's Ulster Rugby Show, which airs on BBC Two NI on Thursday at 22:00 GMT, Best and former Ireland wing Tommy Bowe discuss the decisions awaiting head coach Andy Farrell as he prepares to select his first matchday 23 of the year from an «embarrassment of riches».

Ireland's four provinces have all qualified for the last knockout stage of the European Champions Cup for the first time, and with the international team riding high following their impressive autumn Test results Farrell must decide how much he is willing to deviate from the side that served him so well in November.

«What Ireland teams have done in the past is play four games with what they perceive as their strongest team then go to Italy and make 10-12 changes and go 'we didn't play that well',» said Best.

«They didn't play that well because you made 10 changes and gave them no continuity whatsoever.»

Among the young players hoping to take the next step in their international career are Ulster backs Michael Lowry, James Hume and Robert Baloucoune.

While an injury to James Lowe has put Baloucoune in contention to start Ireland's opener against Wales on 5 February, full-back Lowry goes into his